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RPCS3 is a Sony Playstation 3 Emulator.

Website: https://rpcs3.net/

Quickstart Guide: https://rpcs3.net/quickstart

Github: https://github.com/RPCS3/rpcs3

Compatibility List: https://rpcs3.net/compatibility

RPCS3 Wiki: https://wiki.rpcs3.net/index.php?title=Main_Page


RPCS3 Table of Contents

  1. Getting Started with RPCS3
  2. RPCS3 Tips and Tricks

Getting Started with RPCS3

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In order to play a game on RPCS3, you need to install the firmware through the RPCS3 UI. Read How to Launch RPCS3 to learn how to open RPCS3. In RPCS3, click File, click Install Firmware. Firmware is provided legally by Sony.

Follow RPCS3's Quickstart Guide for a step by step process on setting up RPCS3: https://rpcs3.net/quickstart

Read the Configuration section to learn more about RPCS3 and its folder locations.

To launch your ROMs in game mode, use Steam ROM Manager and use one of the following parsers to play your Playstation 3 ROMs:


RPCS3 Configuration

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  • Executable Location: %USERPROFILE%\emudeck\EmulationStation-DE\Emulators\RPCS3\rpcs3.exe
  • Config Location: %USERPROFILE%\emudeck\EmulationStation-DE\Emulators\RPCS3
  • Storage Location: %USERPROFILE%\emudeck\EmulationStation-DE\Emulators\RPCS3\dev_hdd0
    • Contains the following folders:
      • game
      • home
      • photo
      • savedata
  • ROM Location: Emulation\roms\ps3
  • Firmware: Install the firmware following the Quickstart Guide
  • Saves: %USERPROFILE%\emudeck\EmulationStation-DE\Emulators\RPCS3\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\savedata

Works With


How to Update RPCS3

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How to Launch RPCS3

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  • Launch Rpcs3 from the EmuDeck folder in the Start Menu
  • Launch rpcs3.bat file in Emulation\tools\launchers
  • Launch rpcs3.exe in %USERPROFILE%\emudeck\EmulationStation-DE\Emulators\RPCS3
  • Launch the emulator from Steam after adding it via the Emulators parser in Steam ROM Manager

RPCS3 File Formats

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  • Folder Format: \PS3_GAME\USRDIR\eboot.bin
    • Place the folder in Emulation\roms\ps3
    • For more information on the Folder Format, read RPCS3's Quickstart Guide
      • Note: Read the Dumping Step-by-step section specifically
  • Install .pkg files directly through the RPCS3 UI
    • Note: You can drag and drop .pkg files to the RPCS3 UI
    • .pkg files are installed to: %USERPROFILE%\emudeck\EmulationStation-DE\Emulators\RPCS3\dev_hdd0\game
  • Install .rap files directly through the RPCS3 UI
    • Note: You can drag and drop .rap files to the RPCS3 UI
    • .rap files are installed to: %USERPROFILE%\emudeck\EmulationStation-DE\Emulators\RPCS3\dev_hdd0\game

Note: .iso is not supported. You cannot extract PS3 ISOs into a folder (without decrypting it) and expect a working ROM. Read the Dumping Step-by-step section specifically of the RPCS3 Quickstart Guide to learn how to extract .iso files into a decrypted folder. A ROM ending with the file extension .iso is not supported.


RPCS3 Tips and Tricks

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How to Configure RPCS3 to Work With EmulationStation-DE

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  1. In Desktop Mode, open RPCS3
  2. Skip this step if you have already added your games to RPCS3:
    • Either:
      • In the top left click, File, click Add Games, locate your game
      • In the top left click, File, click Install Packages/Raps/Edats, and install your PKG
      • For more information, read the File Formats section
  3. Right click your game, click Create Shortcut, click Create Desktop Shortcut
  4. On your desktop, you should see an icon for your game. Move this icon to Emulation\roms\ps3
  5. Your game should now show up in and launch directly from EmulationStation-DE

If you get an Invalid file or folder error message, you will need to change the Alternative Emulator in EmulationStation-DE for PlayStation 3 to RPCS3 Shortcut [Standalone].

You may also do this on a per-game basis if you are using a mix of folders and PKGs. On a game, press the select button, scroll down and select EDIT THIS GAME'S METADATA, scroll down and select ALTERNATIVE EMULATOR, select PS3 and select the corresponding format.

Refer to https://gitlab.com/es-de/emulationstation-de/-/blob/master/USERGUIDE.md#sony-playstation-3, for additional information.